How nice it was to see everyone again. After pulling into the Seastar's gates, a lot of folks gave me a big hello, particularly the hotel staff, most of whom I know by name after about a dozen visits through the years.

At the bar was Brent from Calgary, one of my running partners from last reach. I was surprised and happy to see him again; he's a married family man back home, but when he arrives solo in Jamaica, he loves to get a little wild and party all night long, and we share a love for Negril

Also making the scene was Fatty, Tawnee, Rasta Stan and, to my big surprise, Keith from Philly, my expat friend for years whom I haven't seen in quite a while. He was a big part of former Trail of Ashes reports, but we've always been missing each other in Negril (he lives here part time in a house across from Banton's). The retired former Wall Street whiz kid is quite a character, and he was eating a meal at the bar with his live-in assistant, known simply as Rasta, and it was nice catching up on things.

I had touched base earlier with Tattoo Charlie, who is staying on the beach. The plan was for the legendary West Virginian tourist to come meet up later, so I had an hour or two to take a shower and chill out in my room.

God, it felt good to be back.